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13 May 2024
 
Upcoming Events
Register now for our upcoming events

17/05/2024

17/05/2024

23/05/2024
[Save the Date 18.30 - 21.00 hrs.] STCC Multi-Chamber Networking Night 

24/05/2024

11/06/2024
[Save the Date: 10.00-11.30 hrs.] GTCC New Members Meet-Up @GTCC office

13/06/2024

For more events, please click 
 
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MAZARS IN THAILAND
 
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'MEET THE BAVARIAN DELEGATION" & GTCC AFTERWORK
 
Economy
War of independence
The Bank of Thailand’s operational autonomy is increasingly being questioned, with opponents saying it holds back growth, while supporters emphasise its role in maintaining economic stability and low inflation. (Bangkok Post, 13/05/2024)

Exports falter, leading to growth cut
Thailand's economic outlook for this year appears less optimistic as GDP growth could tally 2.2%, down from the previous projection of 2.8-3.3%, attributed to sluggish exports weighing on the manufacturing sector, according to the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB). (Bangkok Post, 09/05/2024)
 
Chambers, trade groups jointly oppose 400 baht minimum wage
The Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, along with private-sector members, say they understand the government's policy of adjusting wages to improve the quality of life for Thai workers. However, they oppose the plan for a nationwide minimum-wage adjustment to 400 baht, effective from October 1, 2024. (The Nation, 07/05/2024)
 
Exports down but manufacturers told not to worry
Thailand’s export value in March dropped to $24.96 billion, a decline of 10.9% year on year and the lowest in eight months. The contraction was also the largest in the region, the Thai National Shippers' Council (TNSC) said on Tuesday. (The Nation, 01/05/2024)
 
Thai ex-executive Pichai named finance minister, faces growth challenge
Thai former energy executive Pichai Chunhavajira was named the country's finance minister, facing a tough task to revive Southeast Asia's second-largest economy. The Thai economy faces high household debt and borrowing costs, as well as China's slowdown. (Reuters, 28/04/2024)
 
Economic Factsheet
UPDATE Magazine
Technical update in Thailand
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GTAI
Chemieunternehmen in Thailand organisieren sich in Clustern
Thailand ist Südostasiens viertgrößter Chemiestandort. Die Branchenfirmen kämpfen zwar mit einigen Herausforderungen, wollen sich aber zukünftig nachhaltiger aufstellen. (GTAI, 08/05/2024)
 
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GTCC GALA NIGHT 2024
 
Companies & Industrial Sectors
Industry sees options to BoT spat
The government should seek more acceptable options to resolve its dispute with the Bank of Thailand over policy rates rather than attempt to curb the regulator's power, which is a contentious tactic, says Montri Mahaplerkpong, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries.(Bangkok Post, 13/05/2024)
Rayong tourism operators on edge
Some fruit farms in Rayong reported tour cancellations after a chemical tank exploded on Thursday, while tourism operators called for an integrated plan for developing tourism and the industrial sector. (Bangkok Post, 11/05/2024)

Gas pipeline opens after years-long delay
Thailand's longest onshore gas pipeline has opened to facilitate gas transport for power plants and factories, following a delay related to the pandemic, says PTT president and chief executive. (Bangkok Post, 11/05/2024)
 
Thai food exports expected to see 2% growth this year
Thailand expects to stimulate food export growth of 2% this year as it prepares for THAIFEX-Anuga Asia 2024, Asia's leading food and beverage trade show. (Bangkok Post, 10/05/2024)
 
Microsoft cloud investment just the start
Microsoft has announced plans to build an AI cloud region and data centre infrastructure in Thailand to capitalise on growing demand for cloud services. (Bangkok Post, 10/05/2024)
 
NBTC unveils bold plan to untangle Bangkok’s cables
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) has finally devised a plan to deal with the tangled mess of communication cables that hang over Bangkok and nearby provinces. (The Nation, 06/05/2024)
 
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GTCC MEMBER EXCLUSIVE SITE VISIT
 
Thailand & ASEAN
Asean becoming a data centre hotbed
Demand in secondary and tertiary data centre markets continues to grow as operators and developers increasingly face power and land constraints in mature markets, according to the latest "Global Data Centre" report by the property services company Cushman & Wakefield. (Bangkok Post, 13/05/2024)

Thailand and Vietnam battle it out for rice export ranking
Thailand and Vietnam are racing for second place as the world’s top rice exporter this year, as India, although still in first place, could see a significant drop in rice exports year on year due to internal policies, the Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA) said on Tuesday. (The Nation, 08/05/2024)

Thailand, Malaysia eye aviation leadership amid soaring growth
The winds of progress in the aviation sector are blowing strong across Asia-Pacific, with ambitious plans taking shape in Malaysia and Thailand. (The Nation, 04/05/2024)
 
Thai official helps steer Asean in negotiations with China
The Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) participated in the recent Asean-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations, aiming to enhance Asean-China trade and investment relations, as well as ensure the free flow of goods and services. (Bangkok Post, 06/05/2024)
 
ASEAN eyes bridging digital divide
It is important for Southeast Asia to address the affordability and accessibility of digital infrastructure and services to ensure digital inclusion for all, as more than one-fourth of its people still lack internet access, senior officials say. (The Nation, 30/04/2024)
 
Green Technology
Revised power plan promotes clean alternatives
Nuclear energy and hydrogen fuel will be included in the revised version of Thailand's power development plan (PDP), which emphasises more use of clean energy, says the Energy Policy and Planning Office (Eppo). (Bangkok Post, 10/05/2024)

Climate Technology Platform launched to reduce carbon footprints
True Digital and Alibaba Cloud on Monday launched an AI-based platform aimed at supporting organisations in implementing sustainability goals. (The Nation, 30/04/2024)
 
Bilateral Business
New Allianz Ayudhya-BDMS insurance plan targets working professionals
Allianz Ayudhya General Insurance (AAGI) is launching a new insurance plan in collaboration with Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), the company said on Thursday. (The Nation, 10/05/2024)

Carmakers flag difficult year on costs, muted EV demand
PORTLAND - Automakers across Europe and Asia are warning of a challenging year as rising costs and waning demand for electric vehicles (EVs) weigh on profits. (Bangkok Post, 09/05/2024)
 
Legal / HR / CSR / Education / Health
On the fiery frontline of Thailand’s war on smog
National parks have resorted to door-to-door campaigns in the latest effort to tackle a longstanding cause of Thailand’s seasonal air pollution crisis – agricultural fires. (Thai PBS World, 13/05/2024) 
 
Follow the yellow brick road
Gold traders and analysts believe conditions are ripe for a run-up in prices of the precious metal.
Gold prices were stagnant in early May, settling just above the US$2,300 threshold during the first weekend of the month, after briefing touching the lowest level since early April. (Bangkok Post, 13/05/2024)
 
Court to rule on True lawsuit against NBTC
The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases is scheduled to rule on May 14 on True Digital Group's lawsuit against the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission's (NBTC)Pirongrong Ramasoota on the grounds of dereliction of duty. (Bangkok Post, 10/05/2024)
 
Credit card default risks surge in first quarter
The risk of default on credit card loans rose significantly in the first quarter this year, driven by the central bank's mandate for a higher minimum payment rate. (Bangkok Post, 09/05/2024)

Minister opens door to World Cup bid
Thailand can still consider bidding for future Fifa World Cups, banking on its credibility as host of Southeast Asia’s first Fifa World Congress later this month, says new Tourism and Sports Minister. (Bangkok Post, 07/05/2024)
Associations line up to oppose increase in minimum wage
The Thai Chamber of Commerce is opposing the government's plan to increase the daily minimum wage to 400 baht for workers nationwide, expected in October. (Bangkok Post, 07/05/2024)
 
Member News
BMW Group Appoints Mr. Rene Gerhard as President and CEO of BMW Group Thailand
BMW Group has announced the appointment of Mr. Rene Gerhard as the new President and CEO of BMW Group Thailand, effective from 1st May 2024.

Southeast Asian Career Fair at IHK Frankfurt am Main
On Friday, 14 June 2024, Germany's first Southeast Asian Career Fair will take place at the Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Frankfurt am Main). At the Southeast Asian Career Fair, companies can recruit directly from this excellent talent pool and thus diversify their teams in Germany or strengthen their workforce in Southeast Asia. Companies can book an individual company booth to present themselves as an attractive employer and get in touch with highly qualified Southeast Asian students and graduates!

GTCC members' promotions 
Check out GTCC members' special offers on accommodation, restaurant / food delivery, and other services. 
 
New Members
Chamber Representatives
Roland Wagner
Holger Hansen

Chamber Representatives
Juergen Kohnen
Torben Berger

Chamber Representatives
Frank Heyer
Dino Heimburger
Chamber Representatives
Villy Boriraj
Fabian Goebel

Chamber Representative
Nattabhorn Buamahakul
 
Trade Fairs
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Messe-Insights
The AUMA exhibitor outlook for 2024/2025, based on a comprehensive survey of 400 exhibiting companies, provides valuable insights into the industry's trajectory. Conducted by Bonsai Research, the study reflects the perspectives of top-level marketing/trade fair executives, offering a unique and thorough analysis of the German-speaking trade fair landscape. (Report only available in German, )
 
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AGRITECHNICA ASIA & HORTI ASIA 2024
22-24 May 2024
AGRITECHNICA ASIA & HORTI ASIA, organised by the German Agricultural Society, DLG International, VNU Asia Pacific, and officially co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand, will feature an impressive lineup of over 300 exhibitors from 28 countries. 
 
AHK Network News
German companies show optimism in Asia Pacific for 2024
Business situation good, business expectations even better – this is what local companies are telling their bi-lateral German Chambers of Commerce abroad (AHKs) in almost all locations in the Asia Pacific region. Companies in India are particularly positive. This is according to the new AHK Asia Pacific Business Outlook. In September and October 2023 more than 800 AHK member companies were surveyed on their business prospects. (DIHK, 15/01/2024)
 
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ASEAN Snapshot 2024
The German Chambers ASEAN Business Council (GCABC), as a #PartnerInASEAN, has recently launched the latest edition of the ASEAN Snapshot with a focus on the German-ASEAN business relations. The snapshot contains a variety of up-to-date charts and infographics about ASEAN economic developments, ranging from demographic, economics, trade and investment information.
 
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AHK World Business Outlook 2023 (ASEAN Focus)
The 2023 survey has been complemented by the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs) in the ASEAN region between 20 March and 16 April 2023, in order to derive more insights from the regional business climate. AHK offices are present in seven of the 10 ASEAN member states: Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, also coordinating activities in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.
 
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Position Paper: Why German Businesses support an EU-ASEAN FTA
This comprehensive position paper underscore the significance of the proposed FTA. The agreement would incentive investments and facilitate the diversification of supply chains and customer bases. As a result, business in the EU and ASEAN can mitigate their reliance on a single market, thus fostering greater resilience and stability. The survey was conducted by the Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce in June 2023 and gathered data from 169 member companies of German Chambers located in ASEAN. 
 
Other News
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APK 2024: 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business
24-26 October 2024, New Delhi
The conference's objective is to provide a platform to deepen the dialogue on current economic developments in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region as well as to build and strengthen personal and economic ties.  
 
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Thailand Meets Germany -Forging Stronger Business Partnerships on Bio-Circular-Green Economy in the Eastern Economic Corridor of Thailand
6 June 2024, 14:00 - 17:00 hrs. CET
Contact Person
Chadaphan Maliphan

Publication and Communication Manager
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